Are You a Good Seed?

I keep thinking of that little seed in the Gospel. “Unless the seed falls to the ground . . . and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.” Jesus is telling us the purpose of the seed (its meaning) lies in “what it becomes”. John 12:21

We see this happening all around us this summer. The kernel of corn becomes a corn stalk which will bring ears of corn. An acorn begins the long journey of becoming an oak tree. The grain of wheat, the apple, pumpkin, tomato, wild flower seeds . . . all of them must die if we are to have the wonderful gift they bring. (Seeds in a bag? What good is that? Spread ’em around and be amazed!!)

Jesus tells us in this short brilliant image that we humans must “die to ourselves” and begin “living for others” and it’s when we do this that we discover who God made us to be. It brings a peace the world does not understand, a happiness no one can take away. And . . . it makes the world shine a bit brighter.

I can’t over emphasize how critical this “dying to ourselves” is, to discovering who we are and finding the path ahead for our lives.

It starts early in life when our parents teach us to “share”, “to shake hands and make up”, “to be gentle”. Later on, when life deals harder things, we’re challenged to “forgive”, “to go the extra mile”, “to comfort others”.

With practice, this thinking first of others becomes a habit, a character strength. It comes more easily with time and a quiet peace happens in one’s conscience . . . I’ve done the right thing. I feel clean. On the other hand, sadness comes most often when we realize we’ve put all our eggs in the wrong basket. The one marked “More For Me.”

It’s a cliché I know, but have you ever met someone with great financial resources, comforts and possessions the envy of all, yet someone who never learned the Lesson of the Seed? (It’s all there in the story of the Rich Young Man. Luke 18: 18-29).

(** Next week I’ll tell you a true story about a “Good Seed” I met at Rochester General Hospital. Tom was his name and I saw the love of Christ pour out of him in a simple but wonderful way. Me and my little seed felt puny next to him.)

So in the meantime, go be a good seed this week.

• Stay a bit longer with “that person” who tries your patience.
• Think ahead as to what might please your spouse. Do it.
• Smile when you’re not feeling happy.
• Say a prayer for someone who hurt you.
• Find a way to encourage a young person to use their gifts.
• Give some money away.
• Someone disappoints you for the 100th time. Smile and find a kind word for them.
• Sit with someone who needs company.
• Think of a generous reason why someone might be so annoying. Forgive them.
• Presume you’ve been that annoying too. Ask for par- don where appropriate.
• Go out of your way to be kind to people who wait on you. A smile and a kind word can really help someone.
• Know that any impulse to kindness and generosity is a grace given to you by God.

Have a good week you little seed you.

Fr. Tim